Bennington vs. University of Puget Sound

Comparable Facts

Compare Bennington College in Bennington, VT with University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Puget Sound is larger than Bennington based on total student enrollment (1,864 students vs. 927 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bennington College is located in Bennington, VT (Rural Fringe setting); University of Puget Sound is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Bennington College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Puget Sound is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bennington College 9:1; University of Puget Sound 10:1.

Bennington vs. University of Puget Sound Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bennington or University of Puget Sound? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bennington College than University of Puget Sound ($34,220 vs. $43,188).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Puget Sound are 13.7% lower than at Bennington College ($16,498 vs. $19,108).
• Bennington College is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Puget Sound (about $3,364 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $62,898.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Bennington than at University of Puget Sound (about $3,364 more per year; $66,262.00 vs. $62,898.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bennington College than at University of Puget Sound (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bennington College students is 50.8% larger than aid received by University of Puget Sound students ($53,064 vs. $35,179).

Bennington vs. University of Puget Sound Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bennington or University of Puget Sound? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Puget Sound and Bennington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Bennington College (1350) is 70 points higher than at University of Puget Sound (1280).
• Incoming Bennington students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at University of Puget Sound).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bennington College 1291/1403; University of Puget Sound 1170/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bennington College 30/32; University of Puget Sound 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bennington - Test optional; University of Puget Sound - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Bennington Jan 15, 2027; University of Puget Sound Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Puget Sound students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at Bennington (3.51).
• University of Puget Sound has a higher acceptance rate (72.2%) than Bennington (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Bennington vs. 11.4% at University of Puget Sound.

Bennington vs. University of Puget Sound Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bennington and University of Puget Sound? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Puget Sound's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Bennington College's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Puget Sound earn a median of about $25,900 more per year than Bennington graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bennington College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than University of Puget Sound graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Bennington graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Puget Sound graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More University of Puget Sound graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bennington students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.